THE CITY BUDGET

Learn about the City Budget, Capital Planning and the City budget calendar here:

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/finance/

See an overview of the property tax-setting process here:

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/assessor/propertytax-process.asp

Influence tax levels or what programs get funded by talking to the City Council and Mayor. You will be most effective with the Mayor in June or July when they are formulating the Mayor’s recommended budget. You will be most effective with City Council Members in September and October when they are formulating their budget. Contact them here:


Influence the amount of money that comes from the State to the City or how the overall tax system works by contacting your legislators here:


INFORMATION ON YOUR PROPERTY TAX

The amount of property taxes that you pay is based in part on the value of your home. This link provides information on how the City arrives at the value of your home.

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/assessor/market-values.asp

Every year in the spring, the City sends out a notification which says how much money it believes your property is worth. If you don’t think this valuation is correct, you have the right to appeal that figure. 85% of the people who do see a reduction in their property value and thus their taxes so it is worth it if you suspect your property is overvalued. The process can be quite easy. Read about it here:

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/assessor/appeal-flowchart.asp

And here:

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/assessor/appeal-process.asp


The Homestead program is a property tax reduction program for owner-occupied properties. For example, the homestead classification can reduce the taxes on a single family residence up to $304 per year. This program also applies if you have a close relative living in a property. Information on what the Homestead Credit is can be found here:

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/assessor/apply.asp

Forms to apply for homesteading your property can be found here:

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/assessor/forms.asp

In 2008, the State of Minnesota required the City Assessor to increase its estimates of the values of some homes. This resulted in increased taxes for certain parts of the City. Read about it here:

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/assessor/tax-increase-faqs.asp

Are you a renter? You may be eligible for a refund on the property taxes you paid through your rent. Read about it here:

http://www.taxes.state.mn.us/taxes/prop_refund/refund_information/content/renters_refund.shtml


MINNESOTA TAX INFORMATION

Who pays taxes in Minnesota?

http://www.taxes.state.mn.us/legal_policy/research_reports/content/incidence.shtml

How much do Minnesotans pay to state and local governments in total? Have we been paying more or less over time?

http://www.mmb.state.mn.us/doc/budget/report-pog/feb05.pdf

How do Minnesota taxes rank against other states?

http://www.taxes.state.mn.us/legal_policy/research_reports/tax_rankings.shtml